Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by Sefofu Modisa
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Moretele is deeply concerned about the ongoing water crisis affecting residents across the municipality. Communities continue to face inconsistent and inadequate water supply despite the municipality paying approximately R6 million per month to Magalies Water.
The DA calls on the Municipality and Magalies Water to urgently address this matter by improving infrastructure capacity, implementing a transparent supply schedule, and ensuring residents receive reliable water delivery.
The water board has cited capacity challenges at the water treatment plant, which currently serves three municipalities simultaneously. However, their proposed “water shedding” schedule has proven ineffective and poorly managed, leaving taps dry for extended periods.
Residents are being deprived of a basic and essential resource, while the municipality continues to pay for services that do not meet the required standard or volume. This situation raises serious concerns about value for money and accountability within both the Magalies Water Board and the Municipality.
The DA is further alarmed by the lack of oversight and monitoring from municipal officials, who have failed to verify that the water volumes supplied correspond with the payments made. This negligence demonstrates a worrying level of incompetence within the administration.
The matter was raised during the recent Infrastructure and Technical Services Portfolio Committee meeting, where it was confirmed by the Director that Magalies Water continues to receive full payment despite the poor and inconsistent water supply. Our communities deserve better.
They cannot continue to suffer due to the failures of those tasked with providing basic services (see oversight video here).